3 weeks in and most of us are already looking at Draft profiles.... I just wanted to start a thread for draftniks to post their thoughts on the Texans draft options in 2023. This can be a thread that changes as the picks start to solidify (based on record and later comp picks awarded) and prospects continually move up or down. I will be using tankathon to provide the picks (https://tankathon.com/nfl/texans). I just wanted one place where Clutchfans might post their diamonds in the rough or late round steals. Fire away!
1.1 - Will Anderson Jr.(Edge/Alabama) - BPA. Hoping he turns into a Derrick Thomas type 1.12 - I am currently leaning trade down from here to pick Cameron Ward in the bottom of the first. Especially if Levis is gone. 2.33 - Jordan Battle (S/Alabama) - Adding the talented SS to Pitre and Stingley makes the DBs just nasty. 3.65 - Cooper Beebe (OG/K-State) - Would push Green to RG. 3.82 - Carter Warren (OT/Pitt) - Would sit a year behind Tunsil/Howard before replacing one of them at OT. 4.97 - Tyrique Stevenson (CB/Miami) - Press corner who'd provide a different look from Stingley. 5.129 - Mazi Smith (DT/Michigan) - NT size with DE athleticism. Needs to refine his technique though. 6.166 - Puka Nakua (WR/BYU) - Selecting for Special Teams but could get snaps at WR. 6.169 - Rashee Rice (WR/SMU) - Same as above. 6.184 - Keilan Robinson (RB/Texas) - Water bug RB with 4.3 speed. Returner potential. 7.193 - MJ Sherman (OLB/Georgia) - Special teamer with situational pass rusher potential 7.208 - BT Potter (K/Clemson) - One of the best kickers in College
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft...l-anthony-richardson-second-qb-off-board/amp/ Anderson and Addison hell yeah
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/...-richardson-tyler-van-dyke-go-back-to-school/ 1) Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Until Davis Mills proves he’s the guy — or rather, stops proving he isn’t the guy — the Houston Texans should be projected a quarterback in 2023 NFL Mock Drafts. There’s still time for Mills to right the ship and show growth after a lopsided start to the latest campaign. But some things, like his lack of pocket poise and eye discipline, may prevent him from realizing his full potential. You never want to stall out with mediocrity at QB. If you’re in position to get a better option, and a better option is out there, you take it. The Texans have that opportunity here with C.J. Stroud. Stroud was my QB1 in the preseason, and he’s only solidified his place there. He has the necessary arm talent and athleticism. But he’s also very poised, accurate, and an extremely advanced processor who actively anticipates and manipulates defenders. He’s a franchise quarterback. 17) Houston Texans (from CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State Sometimes, we underestimate the impact that chemistry, or a lack thereof, can have on quarterback play — especially young QB play. Quarterbacks can obviously establish chemistry with receivers over time, but for rookies, in particular, having a weapon with pre-existing chemistry can be of great value when they’re acclimating to the NFL and the elevated pace. Timing is everything in the passing game, and that’s one element that Stroud has locked down with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. A reliable slot weapon, Smith-Njigba can produce right out of the gate with Stroud as his QB.
1-1 Anderson , would love to trade down and get him 1-12 Smith -Njigba wr Ohio St 2-33 Ika DT Baylor 3-66 Achane RB A@M 3- 78, Stromberg C Arkansas 4. 98, LaPorta TE Iowa 5. 130 Mingo WR Ole Miss 6. Stonger TE South Carolina 6. Rochsan Johnson RB Texas 6. Beal DE Georgia 7. Best OL available.
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023...on-texans-cj-stroud-chicago-bears-bryce-young 1. HOUSTON TEXANS: QB C.J. STROUD, OHIO STATE The track record of Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL is a talking point, but it doesn’t have any bearing on Stroud’s success at the next level. He plays the position differently than Dwayne Haskins or Justin Fields ever did. His average time to throw of 2.69 seconds through Week 5 of the college football season is nearly a half second faster than Fields' average at Ohio State. Stroud fits the bill of an NFL pocket passer. 2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: EDGE WILL ANDERSON, ALABAMA Anderson is the safest pick in the draft. He may not qualify as a generational prospect, but he boasts an elite all-around physical skill set. Anderson’s 97 pressures since the start of 2021 are the most in college football. 4. CHICAGO BEARS: QB BRYCE YOUNG, ALABAMA At 6-foot and 194 pounds, Young won’t tick all the boxes physically. When he steps on the field, though, he ticks boxes left and right. He’s already earned a 91.3 overall grade this season without the two top-50 draft picks he lost at receiver from last season. 5. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: QB WILL LEVIS, KENTUCKY Hailing from a pro-style offense with all the physical tools you could want at the position, Levis is an evaluator's dream. It's worrisome that he has more turnover-worthy plays (six) than big-time throws (three) this season, but a prospective team is likely banking on what he could become. He could even learn for a year behind Carson Wentz if the Commanders choose to bring the veteran back (what not to do, of course). 9. DETROIT LIONS: QB TANNER MCKEE, STANFORD The Jared Goff era in Detroit may be coming to a close after this season. McKee is one of the more pro-ready quarterbacks in the class. He possesses a live arm at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds and has made big strides in his decision-making from Year 1 to Year 2. That shows in his two turnover-worthy plays this season after he made 15 a year ago. 13. HOUSTON TEXANS: WR JORDAN ADDISON, USC Addison has risen to the top of a disappointing wide receiver class so far this season. His crisp, explosive route-running ability has translated nicely to USC’s offense. He’s already caught 29-of-34 targets for 442 yards and six scores in five games.
I'd be very happy with this draft, even if I prefer Bryce Young. Jordan Addison has more game breaking ability and could be a clear upgrade over Brandin Cooks, especially since he's good after the catch and Cooks isn't really elusive.
Levis has all the tools, but he's just no popping for me right now. Not sure what it is. Talent cant be the issue because he's not playing great teams either or at least the talent is equal from his competition - this last game was 'ok', but he's just not standing out like the other guys right now. Are people sure that Lovie and Pep are the best combo of coaches to extract MORE from him as a professional? I might have slotted Hooker higher than Levis as of last weekend.
https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3496/2023-NFL-Mock-Draft-Version-10 (was released Friday before this weekend’s games) Spoiler 1. Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State. Any good rebuild starts with a new franchise QB, and Stroud is as good of a prospect as any of the recent No. 1 overall QBs with his precise aggression. 2. Raiders: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama. Not necessarily the Raiders’ most pressing need, but sometimes obvious talent trumps drafting for need. Anderson is that kind of talent indeed. 4. Texans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky. Levis has the size, arm and improvisational skills that will appeal to a team in need of spark both offensively and to a largely unenthused fan base. 5. Texans: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson. What do teams with multiple top-10 picks do? Grab a QB and someone who can attack the opposing QB. Murphy does that very well and can help lead a youthful renaissance on the Houston defense. 11. Commanders: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama. Projecting where Young comes off the board is difficult. His brains and arm say potential No. 1 overall, but his slightly-built, undersized body is likely to create many interesting conversations in NFL draft rooms. Washington almost has to take that chance in this situation. 14. Seahawks: Cam Ward, QB, Washington State. Ward is the ultimate wild card, an athletically blessed and highly prolific transfer from Incarnate Word. He could soar up draft board based on attributes and potential. Sounds very much like a Seahawks kind of pick, and they happen to need a long-term QB with journeyman Geno Smith a pending free agent. 23. Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida. Enough of the end-of-career veteran careening at QB. The Colts bite the bullet with the sky-high physical potential in Richardson and hope the uneven results to this point keep improving for the promising Gator. 36. Texans: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon 62. Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee https://thedraftnetwork.com/2023-nfl-mock-draft-young-anderson-stroud/ Spoiler 1. Detroit Lions Bryce Young, QB, Alabama If the Lions earn the No. 1 overall pick, then it’s time to pull the trigger on a quarterback. There will be plenty of debate over which quarterback is the right choice, but the good news for teams picking at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft is that there will be options. Bryce Young lacks size but his playmaking instincts and intangibles combined with the opportunity to reunite him with Jameson Williams gives him a real shot to be the Lions’ guy in this NFL mock draft scenario. 2. Houston Texans Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama I don’t believe there is a single position that is close to being solidified on the Texans’ roster, which creates for an easy approach to the 2023 NFL Draft: Pick the best player on the board. In this scenario, there is no question that Will Anderson Jr. is the logical choice given his upside as a disruptive pass rusher. 3. Carolina Panthers CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State The Panthers have thrown plenty of darts in its efforts to replace Cam Newton at quarterback, but none of those darts included an early investment in the NFL draft. That changes this time around as the Panthers land a toolsy passer that is building an exceptional resume that instantly provides Carolina with the most intriguing young quarterback in the NFC South. 5. Houston Texans Will Levis, QB, Kentucky If the Texans are picking this high—twice—in the 2023 NFL Draft, then the quarterback position is impossible to ignore. Will Levis is built like an action figure, runs the football like he’s George Kittle, and has a rocket launcher for a right arm. Those are traits worth betting on in this NFL mock draft, even if he occasionally colors outside the lines. 18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee There hasn’t been a more disappointing team in the NFL this season than the Buccaneers and a reset feels inevitable. While it’s hard to consider how deep the reset could be, a new direction at quarterback post-Tom Brady is critical. Hendon Hooker has been the hottest player in college football and his growth has been a joy to watch. He is a dynamic vertical passer that has illustrated incredible leadership in Tennessee’s resurgence as a program. https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2022/1...raft-2023-first-round-will-anderson-cj-stroud Spoiler 1. Carolina Panthers — CJ Stroud Ohio State QB Junior 2. Las Vegas Raiders — Will Anderson Alabama EDGE Junior 3. Detroit Lions — Bryce Young Alabama QB Junior 5. Houston Texans — Jalen Carter Georgia DT Junior 6. Houston Texans — Will Levis Kentucky QB Senior As of right now, I still have Ohio State’s CJ Stroud as the first QB off the board, and if things hold, he should be the Panthers’ first draft pick. I love his ability to read the entire field and throw with accuracy and timing. He’s not the most overwhelming athlete physically, and his arm strength is merely good, but when he’s throwing with decisiveness, it’s a beauty to see. Bryce Young is next off the board, and there could be an argument that he should be QB1. Young’s ability to create outside the pocket and be a quick processor within the pocket is crucial not only to the offense he’s in now, but to excel at the NFL level. His frame (Alabama lists him at 6’0, 194 pounds) is going to be a large detractor for some scouts, but he can lead an NFL offense. Will Levis is the most hot and cold of the three. The high end tools with the 6’4, 230 pound frame are tantalizing, and his arm can unlock access to every part of an NFL field. However, he’s been running somewhat of an NFL offense in the past two years (his former offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now the OC of the Los Angeles Rams and current OC Rich Scangarello was with the 49ers) and he’s had issues with timing and decision making within the offense. He holds onto the ball for a long time and the ability to read defenses post-snap isn’t the greatest, but a team like the Texans could be willing to take a swing on said traits.
Question: If the Texans select Will Anderson do they play him at DE or revert back to the 3-4? If he is too light to be a full time DE do they look more to Myles Murphy rather than change their entire scheme?
Ugh, I absolutely hate passing on great 1st round talent because it doesn't "fit the scheme" It's burned the Texans multiple times, and is used as a crutch later to justify bad draft picks
